8 C O N T E X T 1 0 5 : J U LY 2 0 0 8 dating from 1970.While space here does not permit a blow-by-blow account of how this was picked up but dropped by the Architects’ Journal, then vigorously pursued by Building Design before hitting the nationals, it is a salutary tale of how such campaigning can be effective. At the time of writing, the outcome of the listing application is awaited from Margaret Hodge. The issue of C20 also commemorates the legacy of Wells Coates, who died on 17 June 1958 after a 30-year career that saw him play a significant role in the development of British modernism. This column turns full circle to end on the heritage protection reforms. In Cornerstone, the newsletter of the SPAB (Volume 29, No 1, 2008), in an editorial entitled ‘A Bill that hides from reality’, Philip Venning expresses the society’s concern that the Heritage Bill will not be as all-transforming as we were expecting. He bemoans the lack of resources, and fears that ideas about producing more detailed list descriptions, with extra material such as definitions of curtilage, ‘may not be realised for some time’. Some understatement. The society also expresses disappointment that the government is likely to miss the rare opportunity of reforming the whole system of enforcement and urgent works notices: although they are fine in theory, in practice they are too problematical for most local authorities to consider until it is too late. The SPAB’s two main concerns, though, are resources – ‘the heavy extra burden being placed on overworked local authority conservation officers’ – and the greater emphasis (also in the Planning Bill) on preapplication discussion, which would mitigate against effective notification of the national amenity societies until ‘matters have already been sewn up’. The editorial notes the intention to include conservation areas on English Heritage at-risk registers in 2008. It will be interesting to see if the DCMS or CLG secondary legislation (including the General Permitted Development Order) will do anything to eliminate at-risk conservation areas (apart perhaps from wholesale de-designations). Heritage reforms need good heritage ministers. Marcus Binney has graded some of the past incumbents from the 1960s onward. Richard Crossman, Geoffrey Ripon,Wayland Kennet and Michael Heseltine were ‘winners’. Peter Shore, Lady Birk and Tessa Jowell were ‘average’, which seems rather generous. Perhaps surprisingly he fails to mention Virginia Bottomley, David Mellor, Chris Smith or Peter Brooke. The last named is a ‘winner’ in this reviewer’s eyes, not least for his steadfast support for the listing system, but especially his generous and whole-hearted support for the transition of the Association of Conservation Officers into the IHBC. Bob Kindred MBE Longden’s reputation for exquisite quality and traditional craftsmanship spans more than 160 years. Beautiful, hand finished doorsets benefit from modern manufacturing techniques to meet all today’s performance requirements for fire resistance, sound reduction and security. Longden’s skill and expertise has helped heritage sites, historic houses and luxury hotels across the length and breadth of Britain to conserve, restore and refurbish. Contact Longden now to find out more. Tel: 0114 270 6330 E-mail: [email protected] www.longdendoors.co.uk 55 Parkwood Road, Sheffield S3 8AH THE ART OF CONSERVATION
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjgyMjA=